House Chaplain Forced Out Because He Criticized GOP Tax Plan
There is a huge hullabaloo brewing on Capitol Hill over the resignation of the House chaplain, Father Pat Conroy, who claimed he was forced to resign by Speaker Paul Ryan. Democrats are outraged by Ryan's unprecedented decision, and believe it was because the Jesuit priest criticized the GOP tax plan in a House prayer in November saying that it should not create “winners and losers.”
While Republicans are denying this, according Conroy, who spoke to the New York Times, he was directly confronted by Ryan about supposedly politicizing his prayers:
Though Father Conroy said he did not know whether politics were behind his departure, he pointed to a prayer he had given on the House floor in November, when Congress was debating tax overhaul legislation.
“May all members be mindful that the institutions and structures of our great nation guarantee the opportunities that have allowed some to achieve great success, while others continue to struggle,” he prayed. “May their efforts these days guarantee that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans.”
About a week later, Father Conroy said, he heard from the speaker’s office. “A staffer came down and said, We are upset with this prayer; you are getting too political,” he said. “It suggests to me that there are members who have talked to him about being upset with that prayer.”
Shortly after, when he saw Mr. Ryan himself, Father Conroy said that the speaker told him, “Padre, you just got to stay out of politics.”
“That is what I have tried to do for seven years,” Father Conroy said. “It doesn’t sound political to me.”
“If you are hospital chaplain, you are going to pray about health,” he added. “If you are a chaplain of Congress, you are going to pray about what Congress is doing.”
The reasoning coming from Ryan and other Republicans is confusing to say the least, particularly given many Republicans are angered by the decision themselves. Reported CNN:
New York Republican Rep. Pete King, who said afterward that Ryan's explanation for asking the Rev. Pat Conroy, a Jesuit priest, to resign was "unsatisfactory." Both King and Ryan are Catholic.
"To me it was an unsatisfactory answer," King said. "It is such an unprecedented action to be to only be taken for very, very serious issues. And the speaker said it was just because certain people said he was not complying with their request or was not giving good counsel. I never heard that from anyone. Anyone who I know who deals with him has the highest regard for him."
The report continued:
When asked what reasons Ryan gave in the caucus meeting for why the chaplain was fired, GOP Rep. Doug Lamborn was at a total loss for words.
"I was -- I'm not the best one to answer that because I was talking to some people on the side about personal issue during that moment that we were talking about -- but I agree with it," he responded, after pausing for five minutes searching for words.
King lamented that at the end of the day Ryan did not give "real specific issues" that led to his firing -- beyond saying there were some "complaints from some of the members about lack of the chaplain's service."
Rep. Mark Sanford, who was in the meeting and has been selected to help choose the new chaplain, told CNN that Ryan said it was "based on the input of some members" who had not been satisfied with the chaplain -- but did not or would elaborate.
While we don't know whether Ryan fired Father Conroy because he brought up the devastating effects the GOP tax plan would have on the poor, the theory is by far the best one we have. Conroy was a popular figure in both parties, so Ryan decision to fire him for no apparent reason in the months after he criticized the GOP's truly insane tax cut designed explicitly to benefit billionaires and giant corporations isn't hard to figure out. Ryan's entire political career has been about one thing, and one thing only: cutting taxes for rich people and smashing the welfare state in the process. His belief in free market economics goes beyond ideology -- it is religious fervor only seen in the most crazed of zealots. For Ryan, markets trump everything, including God.
"I think Ayn Rand did the best job of anybody to build a moral case of capitalism, and that morality of capitalism is under assault," Ryan once said of his childhood hero.
"Ayn Rand more than anyone else did a fantastic job of explaining the morality of capitalism, the morality of individualism, and this to me is what matters most.”
Attacks on capitalism is to Ryan, an attack on the very fabric of what he believes reality to be -- without free markets, there is no freedom, no individualism, and more importantly, no one to pay for his political career.
Of course we will never really know the truth given Ryan's word is about as reliable as Donald Trump's memory, but it's safe to say it wasn't anything to do with "the input from some members" and complaints "about lack of the chaplain's service." Conroy may have been a man of God, but he attacked something sacred to Ryan: rich people's money. And Ryan simply could not stand for that.
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Probably the Evangelical members that are complaining. They are really good at playing the victim.
He is, after all, Catholic.
Agreed.
More nonsense from our most prolific and political poster.
Are you saying that it didn't happen, or are you defending Paul Ryan's hypocrisy? Paul Ryan claims to be a Catholic.
This is from another source.
This is a 3rd source for the same story.
I just love it when far right wingers eat their own. Brings on a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Why is he preaching in congress. He should not even be there. If someone feels the need to be preached at they can take care of that need before coming to work.
I'm really surprised that you are upset about this with that separation of church and state thing. SMH
But hey I'm sure the same people who rant and rave about Christians in government will now be rallying for the injustice done to this priest.
I just seen on the news that the reason given for his dismissal was he didn't meet everyone's needs but of course the Democrats make up a fictitious reason and "SPECULATED" why he was dismissed.
The Congress has prayers inside the chamber on a regular basis. You tell me about separation of church and state.
Ryan is a piece of shit!
All religion out of politics now!
Time for a whole lot more ethics.
Obviously it's being ignored in some areas.
Conroy breached the wall of separation between church and state. That was not in his job description.
having that job breaches the wall of seperation
"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
MT 6:24
... so do the smart thing and cut god loose.
I hope he isn’t paid with taxpayer money. With separation of church and state I’m having a hard time seeing why there is a need for a chaplain.
Their politicians. No human on earth needs salvation more than a politician.
Ain't THAT the truth!!
No, it's actually not. There are good and bad people in politics, just like there are in every walk of life. There are many politicians who are honestly trying to do good things for their country and its citizens, who are motivated by a desire to do good
If there are, then they need to be a voice that is heard instead of letting the corrupt ones define who they are by giving them a bad image. If they really cared that much about the American people, they would step up and let their voices be hard. But, I have not heard any of them do so.
I agree Lenny .. Montana has Senator John Tester (D) (up for reelection) .. he is good people and working hard for the people of Montana - HUGE veterans advocate .. what are the good politicians to do .. hold a reporter hostage in order to be heard? Dudley Do-right's are not seemingly 'ratings boosters' for the media .. one has to pay attention to hear their voices!
On topic.. why does Congress need a Chaplain? I understand why police and fire have a Chaplain - when my youngest son was abducted at the age of 2, the Chaplain came to the scene to see if I could be / was in need of comfort .. what purpose does a Chaplain is Congress serve..?
P.s.... I do not believe for one minute the Chaplain was let go for speaking out in a prayer against the tax bill ... what 5 months ago....? Pfft!
I hope you are not so naïve as to think he's not.
Let’s hope Ryan can do something about this wasteful runaway spending.
Wasteful spending: Congress pays clergy $66,000/hour to pray
It would be cheaper to provide the pols with unlimited weed...We might get some actual work out of them that way.
And the WH chefs would actually be working 24/7/365 providing for the munchies!
Watched a show about the WH chefs. Probably the best reason to be president. Anything! Anytime!
The former WH pastry chef, Roland Mesnier, was amazing.
That might be the worst part of being POTUS for me. I love to cook and often do my best thinking in the kitchen. One of my addictions is to shiny kitchen toys. I'll happily do the cooking and baking if somone else will do the dishes and the shopping for me.
Apparently the POTUS or VP can never drive after being elected because of the security risk. I would lose my mind if I couldn't take a 2-hour drive to clear my head. My car is my escape pod to get away from people and stuff and just de-stress. You cant do that when somone else is driving.
How dare this Catholic insinuate that politicians need to act like Jesus would! Outrageous.
Is this the part where liberals pretend they like the idea of having tax payer funded religious representatives and aren't feigning outrage just because this was done by Republicans?
Does that mean that this chaplain won't be replaced because teaching morality makes for a hostile workplace for Republican lawmakers?
I don't think that the chaplain, if it is necessary, should be a paid position. These people should be invited and should represent all faiths or belief systems, including Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Pagan, and atheists
I totally agree or at the most pay a reasonable amount plus expenses. Maybe work it out quarterly or changing every 3 months. It's tradition to do it the way they do it and I don't know enough about how it is all set up, but Paeheos is the least biased and the Daily Banter is far left.
It's also strange when I read how the Democrats are outraged about this since they were against him being appointed in the first place as Chaplin.
The Democrats agreed to let him become the Chaplin, but it wasn't like they were thrilled about it, so outraged about it just seems to be another Daily Banter article pushing a narrative to try to make something out of nothing, since none of us really know why Ryan let him go except an article laced with what comes natural for The Daily Beast and CNN.
It's hard to give people tax breaks when they don't even pay any Federal taxes, but understandably being in the house instead of on the street is kind of like being in Seattle Washington and making the assumption everyone in South Carolina has a KKK outfit in their closet, it just ain't so. The GOP tax plan isn't devastating at all.
This should enlighten you to some of the devastating effects
I just see this article as an opportunity to push some more propaganda.
It is the hypocrisy of the situation. Paul Ryan wraps himself in the Bible and the cross when it suits him but then he pulls this stunt. I have no doubt that Paul Ryans religious beliefs are as shallow as his support for anyone who makes less than $100K per year. If Ryan prays to anyone it would be Milton Freedman, Ayn Rand, or Arthur Laffer.
The fact that the evangelical conservatives are silent is more proof that they aren't Christan in the least.
If the House of Representatives want a Chaplain then they should be paid $250 per prayer on a per diem basis. Prayer isn't helping them do what is morally correct so I do not support hiring another full-time chaplain.
Don't get me wrong, I'll be glad to see Ryan gone, but this whole article is nothing but a propaganda piece and nothing more. They find any and everything they can to spread the propaganda. Maybe some don't know any better. Maybe they aren't working, retired, but not on the street making a living any longer, I don't know. Maybe the eat this crap up and base their opinions on the information they ingest from their favorite news sites, but facts are hard to beat and the fact is the GOP Tax Bill has been more beneficial to the most people than anything that has come around in a long time. I don't like everything about it and no one seems to be concerned about the National Debt on either side and it will come back to bite us or at least all those who come after us.
Maybe they aren't triggered or fall for such propaganda as easily as some do or at least until they really know the whole story, I don't know.
But.....
President Trump and Republicans have delivered on their promise to pass comprehensive tax reform that reduced taxes for Americans at every income level, increased wages, and created more jobs.
Even though the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was only signed into law in December of 2017, the law is already a success.
Businesses across the country have responded to the pro-growth reforms in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by giving employee bonuses, increasing wages, making new charitable donations, or announcing plans to increase investment and create more jobs. 200,000 jobs were added in January, unemployment is at a 17 year low, and wage growth is up. Business optimism is at an all-time high among small businesses and manufacturers .
Hours after the tax reform bill passed through the House and Senate, AT&T announced plans to provide 200,000 U.S. employees with a $1,000 bonus. Similarly, Comcast has announced a $1,000 bonus for 100,000 employees, while Pfizer has promised $100 million worth of bonuses to non-executive employees.
The benefits of tax reform have not been limited to larger business either. Smaller businesses across the country are also thriving. Anfinson Farm Store , a family owned business in Cushing, Iowa (population 223) has given its employees a $1,000 bonus and raised wages by 5 percent. Kentucky-based Turning Point Brands, Inc. will give 107 employees a $1,000 bonus.
Heating and cooling company AAON — with facilities in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Longview, Texas — gave its 2,000 employees a $1,000 bonus. Tampa-based Spellex Corporation is gave its 26 employees $1,000 bonuses, and Five Senses Spa, Salon and Barbershop based in Peoria, Illinois gave $500 bonuses to its 20 employees.
While the bigger paychecks will be felt immediately, companies are also investing in their workers, which will result in benefits in the years and months to come. Boeing announced $300 million to be spent on charitable donations, workforce development, and infrastructure improvement. Walt Disney announced $50 million in employee educational programs, and Walmart announced expanded maternity and parental leave and a $5,000 allowance for adoption expenses.
Other companies are increasing employee retirement benefits. Visa is doubling its 401(k) employee contribution match to a maximum of 10 percent of employee pay, while Cigna is spending $30 million on 401(k) matches.
Businesses are also investing in the economy, which will mean more jobs created, and higher wages in the future. Merck has already announced it will invest $12 billion in the economy, while Exxon Mobil will invest $35 billion in the next five years.
Utility companies across the country are responding to tax reform by lowering rates for customers, resulting in lower energy bills. Illinois-based ComEd is passing $200 million worth of savings to consumers, while Baltimore Gas & Electri c is passing $82 million in annual savings to customers.
The success of tax reform should not be a surprise – the bill contains numerous provisions that will grow the economy and benefit the middle class. The legislation cut taxes for American families at every income level and for businesses large and small, while dramatically simplifying the code and repealing distortionary tax credits.
American families and individuals at every income level are seeing tax reduction under this bill, with 90 percent of wage earners seeing more money in their paychecks. A family of four, earning the median income of $73,000 will receive a tax cut of more than $2,000 this year. Similarly, a single parent with one child earning $41,000 per year will see tax reduction of 73 percent, resulting in a $1,304 tax cut.
Strangely, Democrats continue to claim the bill is a scam. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has compared the bill to the apocalypse and derided the bonuses given to American workers as “crumbs,” while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the bill a “betrayal” of the middle class.
This apoplectic rhetoric should not be surprising given that every Democrat in the House and Senate voted against tax reform. However, their rhetoric is not working — the tax reform bill is as popular as ever, with a New York Times poll showing majority support for the legislation.
This latest news is vindication for President Trump and Republican tax writers. The GOP has kept their promise for tax reform that benefits the middle class. Wages are increasing, take-home pay is up, and companies are investing in their workers and the economy as never before.
As stated above.
Why didn't you identify the source of your post? It is an opinion column from The Hill and not a news story.
That tax reform is a give way to the richest 1%. It cannot create jobs because the 1% doesn't create enough demand to create jobs. Giving a billion more money doesn't create jobs. The crumbs that got to the middle class will not create jobs because of it isn't enough to do squat but it will add trillions to the economy that we will be paying off for years. Why would rich people spend their own money to create jobs when the working class is dying because of low wages. People don't have money to spend because of the rising cost of healthcare and food. If you think that this tax plan is good for most Americans you don't understand basic economics.
If you want to new create and help people who actually work for a living then rescind that tax giveaway and instead spend the money on infrastructure. Trump's infrastructure plan is a joke that is essentially an unfunded mandate because it tells the states to fund what they can't afford. The current federal-state infrastructure funding ratio is 80/20 but Trump's idea turns that on its head and tells the states that they must now pay 80%. That plan is dead and everyone with more than a dozen neurons knows it. It was never a serious plan to begin with.
Now would be a good time to get rid of the position